NEWARK, NJ — Marc A. Peralta, 21, of West New York, was arrested on Friday, Nov. 4, for an aggravated assault stabbing of a police officer.

At approximately 3:05 a.m., a 35-year old male police sergeant and a 31-year old female detective, both of the Newark Police Division’s Major Crimes Shooting Team, were returning from an assignment in the area of Elizabeth Avenue and Branford Street when they observed group of some 50 people fighting. The sergeant and detective exited their police vehicle to stop the fight and to determine what happened when they were assaulted.

During the assault, the sergeant, a 15-year veteran of the department, was stabbed in the right arm. A second suspect punched the detective, a 10-year Newark police veteran, in her face, knocking her to the ground. She was then kicked. The sergeant, with the assistance of responding officers, arrested Peralta in connection with the assault. Peralta is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest. The weapon used in the stabbing, a knife, was recovered. The investigation is ongoing and active.

Jeancarlo Romero, 27, of Union City, was arrested for the assault on the detective. He is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.

“I commend the two police officers injured in this incident for putting their own lives at risk in order to keep Newark safe,” said Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose. “And I am proud of every officer who provided assistance for successfully taking control of a volatile situation in which no shots were fired.”